A Perfect Gentleman(37)
A chill ran up her spine. “It is kind of you to want to help, but I cannot afford servants, and especially guards.”
He grasped her gently around the top of her arms. “I insist and will pay for them myself.”
“You can’t afford them anymore than I can. I know how low a vicar’s salary is in this town.”
He smiled down at her and she thought she heard a slight chuckle. “Don’t worry. I have the funds.”
“I don’t want you to go out of your way for our benefit.”
His hands went from her upper arms to Grace’s waist and he pulled her closer. “This is hardly out of the way. If you haven’t noticed, you have become rather important to me.”
How important? She was wishing she could ask that question but did not want to press him. And what if it was because of guilt from last night? “Vicar Trent, you don’t have to feel obligated to me because of last night.”
“I don’t.”
“I know I shouldn’t have kissed you and I apologize for putting you into an uncomfortable position.”
“Didn’t I make it clear last evening that I had wanted to kiss you for a very long time?”
Yes he had, but she wasn’t sure if he said those words last night just to make her feel better or if he truly meant them. She hoped that he meant them but could anything be trusted when they were a result of the position they found themselves in during the middle of the night?
“It is better if it is forgotten.”
She glanced away, unable to look into his eyes. While she dearly wished he would declare himself, Grace also suspected that if he did, it was because he felt responsible for her, or wanted to protect her because of the danger, or take care of her because of her father, or felt obligated to do the right thing because he had kissed her last night and touched her body in a manner that should not have been allowed outside of marriage, and they had been in her bedroom. If she was convinced he was pursuing her for herself, then she would welcome the attention. But Grace was just as certain his interest had more to do with the other reasons than simply wishing to be with her.
“I should go check on father.” She pulled away and practically ran into the house, never actually answering his question.
Mrs. Thomas had just delivered a cup of tea and Perkins had father sitting higher, though still reclined on pillows, but he was drinking the tea. Perhaps he would have the energy to eat something of substance later.
He glanced up and his eyes met hers. They were still sad. Oh, why had he tried to kill himself? Didn’t he know what his loss would do to her?
Of course she was being selfish. His life was far more difficult than hers since he had little control over his own body and his brother wanted to lock him away.
She must make him want to live and Grace pasted a smile on her face and crossed the room. “How are you this morning, Papa?”
He shrugged. At least he was communicating.
She grasped his free hand. “You had me so worried. Don’t you ever try anything so foolish again?” Against her will tears welled in her eyes. “I love you and I don’t know what I would do without you. Please promise me.”
He turned his hand over and gave her a quick squeeze.
Grace sniffed and nodded. “Then it is forgotten.” And she would do her best to forget it and try her hardest to be a better daughter and protect her father from his brother.
“Breakfast will be ready shortly. Why don’t you and Vicar Trent join me in the dining room?”
The thought of a real breakfast made Grace’s stomach grumble. Her father must have heard it because he gave her a half smile and let go of her hand. She bent to kiss him on the forehead. “I’ll be back later.”
Vicar Trent was already seated at the table as was Mr. Thomas when Grace entered. Mrs. Thomas came in from the kitchen with plates of food. The rich aromas set her mouth watering and Grace loaded more food on her plate than normal. It was if she hadn’t eaten in days. And, perhaps she hadn’t. What had she eaten last and when was it? She couldn’t recall. So much of it was a blur after she had come home to find out her father had fallen down the stairs.
Matthew sat back in his chair, pleasantly full and sipped the tea as Grace’s words rang in his head. It is better if it is forgotten. As if it were even possible to forget that moment when their lips met, her body against his, her breast cupped in his hand. He shifted in his seat, grateful the table hid his growing desire. Perhaps it was best to put it from his mind at the moment, but he would never forget.
The meal had helped clear some of the fog from his brain and Mrs. Thomas was a wonderful cook and he hoped he could engage her services in the future. After all, she had cooked for the Coopers since the accident so there was no reason why she could not continue with the same employment.
Everyone had finished eating but nobody moved from their seat. It had been a late night, especially for Grace.
The silence was disturbed by knocking on the front door. Mrs. Thomas stood before anyone could react and left to answer. A moment later she was back in the room, followed by Jordan.
“What did you do, Matt?”
Matthew straightened. “What do you mean? I haven’t done anything.”
He laughed. “Well, according to Mrs. Montgomery, that isn’t the case.”
Matthew glanced across the table at Grace. Her cheeks were turning a lovely shade of pink. “She has embellished an innocent situation.”
“Then you didn’t spend the night in Miss Cooper’s room.”
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas gasped and Matthew looked at them. “Miss Cooper had a nightmare and was frightened. I slept in the chair in front of the fire.” He turned and glared at Jordan. “And, the door was wide open all night.”
They nodded as if that explained everything and went back to drinking their tea. Well, at least not everyone thought lowly of him and Miss Cooper.
“I told you the woman was mistaken. This is Matt. Father’s perfect gentleman and vicar.”
John walked in behind Jordan with Elizabeth on his arm. Great, his entire bloody family was here. Well, half of them anyway.
Matthew stood and walked to his brothers. “I thought you were going to see Elizabeth’s grandfather and then be off to Scotland.”
John glanced behind Matthew and seemed to take in the room. “Our plans changed. The friend I was seeking is no longer there.
“I am sorry to hear,” Matthew said. “Do you know where your friend traveled to?” They all needed to know where Adele and Julia were, especially if they thought to travel to London. John needed to stop them before they ruined the lives of Rose and Madeline. After all, it was Adele who chose to leave. What right did she have to return only to disrupt everyone’s lives?
“No, but I hope to catch up to them when I do learn.”
Jordan took a seat at the table and Mrs. Thomas poured him a cup of tea. “John and Elizabeth were visiting when that lad came for me.” This time Jordan glanced at the occupants in the room. “Has something happened to Mr. Cooper?”
“He is recovering,” Grace answered before Matthew could.
“Then why the urgency?”
“There was an attempt on Miss Cooper’s life last night.
Both John and Elizabeth stiffened and looked at each other. They shared a look but Matthew couldn’t read anything into it.
“What happened,” John asked.
Matthew quickly explained. John and Elizabeth both nodded and kept looking about the room, into the foyer. Matthew wasn’t certain what to make of it because it wasn’t as if they were being nosy and snooping, but checking windows and such.
“I need someone to keep an eye on the family and the house. And, I need to find someone to fix the back door.”
“I can fix the door,” Mr. Thomas offered.
“I would be very grateful,” Grace thanked him.
At least that was one thing off of his mind.
“Why would someone want to kill Mr. Cooper and then try to kill Miss Cooper?” Jordan asked. “I find it hard to believe Stillwaite would go to such extremes, but he is the only one who would have anything to gain.”
Matthew didn’t answer. It was not his place to tell the truth behind Mr. Cooper’s fall. It was a private family matter, though he and the Thomas’ knew. “I am more concerned with who would wish to do Miss Cooper harm,” Matthew finally stated. “We are not certain it is the same person.”
“It would be odd that two separate people are trying to do them harm,” Jordan insisted.
As much as he would like to enlighten his brother, Matthew would not do that.
“You may tell them,” Miss Cooper said after a moment, her voice low.
“I don’t think that is necessary.”
“You asked your brother here to help, did you not?” Her eyes bore into hers.
“Yes,” Matthew answered after a moment. He knew he could not protect the family alone and it had been his intention to simply ask Jordan to stay with Grace while he hired staff and guards. But he wasn’t even sure who he could trust. What if he hired the very person who had broken in here last night? Grace looked to Jordan, then John and lastly Elizabeth. “I just ask that you never breathe a word of what Vicar Trent tells you.”
They nodded and looked to Matthew.
“Let’s clear the table,” Grace announced and began gathering dishes. Mrs. Thomas did the same. “Why don’t you go to the library and you can explain to your family.”